A group of travellers who occupied the site of a former caravan park in Lowestoft have been given until Sunday to move on, or face legal action. The travellers moved on to the North Denes site with about 12 caravans, four-wheel-drive vehicles and two horses.

A group of travellers who occupied the site of a former caravan park in Lowestoft have been given until Sunday to move on, or face legal action.

The travellers moved on to the North Denes site with about 12 caravans, four-wheel-drive vehicles and two horses. They have pledged to council officials that they will be gone by Sunday night.

A spokesman for Waveney District Council said yesterday legal action would be taken to move the travellers if they refused to go voluntarily.

He added: "We have been in discussions since the travellers' arrival, both with them and the police, with the sole intention of reaching a satisfactory conclusion for all concerned.

"We have sought to identify the travellers' wishes and requirements but have reminded them that such an encampment is unlawful and that notice to leave will be served.

"We hope this will be respected and that a resolution will be reached with the minimum of disruption."

The arrival of travellers at North Denes is the latest twist in a long-running saga over the site, which has seen the district council vote to sell its lease to a private operator.

However, some opposition councillors and local residents have been angered at the proposals to sell-off what they insist is publicly-owned land and a wealthy businessman is seeking a judicial review to stop the process.

Last September, at the time of the vote to off-load the caravan site, Waveney's portfolio holder for operations and facilities said he feared the land would become a target for travellers unless quick action to bring in a private operator was taken.